Tube-frame mechanism



Se t. 22, 1925.

. E. R. HOLMES TUBE FRAME MECHANISM Filed Dec,. 27. 1923 2 Shets-Sheet 1 I N VENTOFE EEf/OLMES.

y ATTOEA/e Y Sept. 22,-192&

E. R. HOLMES TUBE FRAME MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.- 27. 1923 I NVE NTO we E. 12. Ho\.. M as ArTore EY' Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES ELBRIIDGE R. HOLMES, or WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTQ-ASSIGNOR To cnoivrr'ron'a KNOWLES LOOM WORKS, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF I MASSACHUSETTS.

TUBE-FRAME MECHANISM.

Application filed December 27, 1523. Serial n6. eaaoes- I iv T o all whom it. may concern 7 Be it known that I, ELBRIDGE R. HOLMES, a citizen of the ,United States, residing 'at Worcester, in the county ofWorcester and State of Massachusetts,have invented a new and useful Tube-Frame Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relatesparticularly to carpet looms ,of the Axminster type-in which thepile yarn is presented to the warp by successive tube frames each having 'a large number of yarn tubes mounted thereon in the usual manner. 1

It is the general object of my invention to provide improved mechanismand devices for transporting the tube frames and for successively releasing the frames for pres entation of the pile yarn to the warp.

Considerable difficulty has been heretofore encountered in preventing accidental displacement or release of the tube frames during movement by the transporting chains and, it is a particular object of my invention to provide 'improveddevices for attaching the tube frames to the chains, together with novel mechanism for releasing the frameswhen desired. v v

My invention further ,relatesto arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particuularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a detail side elevation showing a portion of my improved transporting chain-and a portion of the operating mechanism for the locking devices thereon;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1 and shows also a tube frame in assembled relation therewith;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of one of the attaching or locking devices on the transporting chains;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of certain operating parts of the loom;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of mechanism for withdrawing the locking plungers; and

Fig. 7 is a front elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a portion of a tube frame 10 (Fig. 2) having end brackets 11 secured thereto and formed with a spool bearing portion 12 and. an attaching portion 13. The port-ion 13 is provided witha transverse opening near its upper end for a purposeto be described. The tube frame and itsbrackets may be assembled in; any usual and convenient manner. 1 i

.Each chain 14: is preferably formed with alternate single links 14 and double links 16. The two parts of each double link '16 are spaced apart to provide an opening or slot adapted to receive the upper end of the portion 13 of a tube frame bracket 11, as indicated in Fig. 2. p The lower edges of the links 16 may be bevelled at 18 (Fig. 4) and the upper end of the portion 13 of the tube frame bracket may be correspondingly bevelled to facilitate assembling of the parts.

,A' bearing support 20 (Figs. 3 and 4). is secured to one of each pair of double link members 16 by screws 21 orin some other convenient manner, and provides an outer'bearing for a plunger 22 which extends, transversely through openings 23 in the doublelinks I6. A; head 24' limits-in ward movement of the plunger'and a spring 25 engages the support 20 at its outer end ATENT- OFFICE.

and is connected to the plunger 22 at its inner end and thus yieldingly forces the plunger inward to the operative position shown in Fig. 4:. 4

If a tube frame is presented to the transporting chains, as indicated in Fig. 2, with -the plungers 22 withdrawn, and the plungers are thereafter released, theywill be advanced through the openings 23 and also through the openings inthe upper ends of thetube frame brackets, thus securely locking the tube frame to the chains. When thus secured in position the tube frame can not become accidentally dislodged from the chains unless the plungers 22 are actually and intentionally withdrawn.

For securing and releasing the tube frames, 1 have provided the operating mechanism indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. This mechanism comprises a special cam on the loom cam shaft 31 which actuates a lever 32 connected by a link 33 to a bell crank 34:. The crank 34 is mounted on a fixed pivot 35 and its upwardly extending portion 36 engages an arm 37 on a rod or shaft 38. The rod 38 is mounted in fixed bearings 39 in the loom frame and is yieldingly held in contact with the member 36- by a tension Spring 40. A second arm 41 extends downward and forward from the rod 38 and is provided with spaced end portions 42, to which the heads 2a of the locking plungers are successively presented as the chain links are advanced by the sprocketS 15.

When a plunger head is thus presented, as indicated in'Fig. 2, the cam 30 operates to swing the arm 87 in the direction of the arrow at in Fig. 2, thus withdrawing the plunger and releasing the tube frame. The usual tube frame holders are provided for receiving the tube frame and presenting it to the warp, thereafter returning the tube frame to initial position. The holders 50 are pivotally mounted in bearings 51 formed at the front ends of levers 52 bolted to arms 53' mounted to swing about the axis of a heavy shaft 55. The holders 50' are also provided with upward- 1y extending portions 56 having studs 57 to which are connected links 58 operable to rock the holders. This holder actuating mechanism is of a common type and forms no part of this invention.

During the removal or presentation of the tube frames, the locking plungers are held inoperative by thearms 37 which, however, immediately move inward and release the plungers as soon as a tube frame is returned to transportingposition. The specific mechanism for Withdrawing and releasing the locking plungers is intended to be illustrative only and other suitable mechanism may be substituted therefor.

I have thus provided locking devices by which tube frames may be securely attached to transporting chains, and by which they may be positively released and thereafter again attached during the operation of the loom.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is 1. Ina loom, a yarn tube frame, end brackets therefor having transverse openings in their upper ends, transporting chains for said tube frame, locking devices slidably mounted on said chains and extending through said transverse openings to. detachably secure said tube frame to said chains, and means to withdraw said locking devices to release said tube frame.

2. I11 a loom, a yarn tube fra me, end brackets therefor having transverse openings in their upper ends, transporting chains for said tube frame, each containing a succession of spaced double links, locking devices secured on said double links and extending through the transverse openings of said brackets when the latter are inserted in said links, thereby detachably securing said tube frame to said chains,and means to withdraw said devices to release said'tube' frame.

v 3. In a loom, a yarn tube frame, end brackets therefor having transverse openings in their upper ends, transporting chains for said tube frame, each containing a plura-lity of spaced double links, locking devices secured on said double links and extending through the transverse openings of said brackets when the latter are inserted in said links, said devices being yieldingly movable to locking position, and means to withdraw said devices to release said tube frame.

4;. In a loom, a yarn tube frame, (end brackets therefor, transporting chains for said tube frame, locking plungers mounted on certain links of said chains, said plungers being yieldingly movable transversely to engage said brackets and hold said tube frame for movement with said chains, and mechanical means to withdraw saidplungers to release said frame.

5. In a loom, a yarn tube frame, end brackets therefor, transporting chains for said tube frame having double links with bevelled sides spaced apart and having aligned transverse openings therein, and locking devices adapted to extend through said openings and to engage said end brackets' to secure said tube frame to said chains.

In testimony where I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

ELBRIDGE R. HOLMES. 

